Brian WestoverMicrosoft Docking Station for Surface Pro 3The Docking Station for Surface Pro 3 lets you use your latest-generation Microsoft tablet as a desktop PC, adding plenty of functionality. But it's expensive, and comes with some limitations.

The Docking Station for Surface Pro 3 lets you use your latest-generation Microsoft tablet as a desktop PC, adding plenty of functionality. But it's expensive, and comes with some limitations.

When your tablet is your laptop, and your laptop is your desktop, it may not be enough to have one mobile device with limited features. Microsoft's Docking Station for Surface Pro 3 ($199.99) adds both features and functionality to the Surface Pro 3, giving the latest-gen tablet an array of ports and connections to add USB devices, Ethernet, and external displays, letting you make the most of the Intel-Core-equipped PC as a desktop, as well as your mobile computing device.

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Design and Features The Docking Station for Surface Pro 3 is an updated version of the design we saw on the original Microsoft Docking Station for Surface Pro, which was made for use with the older 11-inch Surface tablets. With the Surface Pro 3 expanding to 13 inches, the docking station gets an upgrade as well, with a larger, refined design.

The dock itself adds several ports: three USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, an audio jack, a Mini DisplayPort monitor output, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. Those who need a wired network connection now have that available, while most any user can benefit from an assortment of peripherals that can be used, from keyboards and mice to monitors and external storage. The dock also has a security lock slot, but because there's no way to physically lock the Surface tablet into the dock, it only manages to keep the dock itself from walking away and not the $1,300 tablet.

The dock has three main parts: a center portion that houses the various ports and connectors; and two extending side brackets that slide inward to lock the tablet in place. The bracket on the right connects the tablet for power and port replication through the fin-shaped power connector, while the left bracket has a magnetized panel to hold the Surface stylus conveniently at the ready. Unlike the magnesium-alloy used on the Surface itself, the docking station is made of black plastic.

Measuring 3.8 by 13 by 4.4 inches (HWD), the dock only comes about halfway up the sides of the tablet, so you'll still have access to the volume control buttons and Mini DisplayPort when the Surface is docked. The dock has a channel running along the bottom of the tablet bay, which holds your Surface in the correct position when opening and closing the dock.

The entire dock stands at an angle, leaning back 25 degrees, which puts the tablet at the same angle on your desk. While that will offer good visibility and touch-screen accessibility for most, it removes one of the most versatile features of the Surface Pro 3, the built-in adjustable kickstand. Instead of allowing you the full 22- to 150-degree adjustability offered by the tablet alone, you're stuck with the one position the dock has.

While many users will opt for a second keyboard for use in desktop mode, the Surface Type Cover ($129.99) can still be used when the tablet is docked, in either flat-to-the-table or folded-and-angled modes.

When connected to an external display through the Mini DisplayPort, the dock display output mirrors the tablet screen by default, but it can also be used as a second extended display. The Surface outputs up to 3,840-by-2,600 resolution, so you can use it to enjoy 4K content. Through the Mini DisplayPort, you can daisy-chain more than one monitor, giving you a multi-monitor setup for greater productivity. Unfortunately, the Mini DisplayPort is your only display output, and if your monitor relies on HDMI or DVI, you're out of luck unless you buy additional adapters. Microsoft sells a Surface-branded Mini DisplayPort HD AV (HDMI) Adapter for $39.99, but it doesn't support 4K, and there is no official adapter for DVI.

When docked, the audio from the tablet is silenced, shifting to either the speakers built into a connected display or external speakers connected through the audio jack. While that's great when you have those options, if your monitor has no built-in sound, or you don't have any external speakers, you'll find yourself without any sound at all.

Microsoft covers the Docking Station for Surface Pro 3 with a one-year warranty.

Conclusion Obviously, the market for Surface docks is just a small subset of the people who own or may purchase a Surface, so this is a niche product. But if you own a Surface, is it worth the extra $200? With the option for 4K output and multiple displays, the addition of wired networking and an array of ports for storage and peripherals, the dock is definitely recommended for business users, letting you easily use the Surface as your primary PC while still being able to grab it and go for mobile use. For the average user who uses the Surface as a tablet first and a laptop replacement second, desktop use is quite a ways down the list of priorities, and the dock may not add a lot to the experience.

Brian Westover is an Analyst for the Hardware Team, reviewing laptops, desktops, and storage devices.
As a child, Brian was frequently asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" His answer alternated between Superman and Batman. This was cute when he was five, but worrisome at seventeen. Naturally, he is now a journalist, writing about technology and gadgets.
Brian has been writing professionally since 2007, and his work has appeared in business newsletters, websites, textbooks, and magazines. He earned his degree in Communications from...
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